Again, Obi Lampoons Tinubu Over Frequent Foreign Trips, Laments Country Left Without Firm Leadership “At Difficult Time”

Mr. Peter Obi, Former Governor of Anambra State and presidential candidate of Labour Party, LP, during the 2023 elections, Peter Obi, has lampooned President Bola Tinubu over his frequent foreign trips, saying the country has been left without firm leadership at a difficult time in its history.

Obi spoke in a post on his verified X on Sunday, titled, "A Distressing January for Nigeria," noting that Tinubu appeared more comfortable staying abroad than remaining in Nigeria to address urgent national problems.

Obi who is among the leaders of the African Democratic Congress, ADC, lamented that Tinubu spent most of January outside the country, and at a time Nigerians were battling worsening insecurity, power failures, and economic pressure, pointing out that the absence of leadership has deepened the hardship faced by citizens.

According to Obi, the president only returns briefly to Nigeria to receive politicians defecting to the All Progressives Congress, before travelling out again, pointing out that both the president and the ruling party must stop focusing on political calculations and future elections, by concentrating on solving the country’s growing problems.

His words, “This first month serves as a critical measure of the challenges that lie ahead, and it is painfully evident that the situation in the country continues to worsen.

“Insecurity has surged alarmingly across the nation. In just January, we saw reports of several killings, hundreds of kidnappings and abductions that include children, pregnant women, and nursing mothers with the abductors demanding millions. Farmers remain unable to return to their farms plagued by ongoing insecurity which exacerbates food shortages and rural poverty.

“Education stands as a cornerstone of national development, yet countless children remain out of school and those in school cannot attend because of insecurity or teachers’ strikes. This is particularly tragic in Abuja, the seat of government, where schools remain shuttered. This is the same Abuja where billions were squandered on renovating a conference centre for the president and Bus Terminals. One must question whether our leaders genuinely appreciate the vital role of education.

“Our nation with the worst access to electricity without an abysmal supply has witnessed two grid collapses in just January.

“While leaders in other nations prioritise domestic governance in January, Nigeria’s president prioritises international engagements over pressing national issues. This month, he spent 23 days abroad across two trips—beginning the year overseas and returning on the 17th, and departing less than 10 days on the 26th to Türkiye, where he remains as of January 31. What urgent matters continuously warrant his absence from the nation? When he does return, it often appears to be merely to welcome defectors into the APC before he jets off again.

“The collective impact of these events paints a grim portrait of a nation grappling simultaneously with insecurity, economic distress, failing infrastructure, and profound social upheaval. Instead of confronting these urgent challenges head-on in pursuit of solutions, much of the political class remains engrossed in power calculations and the next election cycle. The ruling APC, in particular, seems more concerned with rallies and welcoming defectors than with visiting failing institutions or addressing the daily struggles of the Nigerian people.

“A new Nigeria is POssible. -PO.”